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FAMILY CAR TRAVEL
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There's a reason why so many families tell
and re-tell the stories of long-ago road trips in the family
car. The truth is, being in such close quarters with the ones
we love most can create some hilarious situations and wonderful
memories, but it can also be stressful. Follow our tips for family
car travel and make your next trip one to remember.
Plan Ahead
Before you hit the road, be honest with yourself about what
you and your children can handle in the way of a road trip.
While older children might be capable of dealing with 10+ hours
in the family van, chances are your 4-year-old isn't. Generally
speaking, young children should not be subjected to confinement
in a car for more than six hours a day. This is just as much
for your sanity as it is for theirs.
If your family car is better suited to in-town trips rather
than long hauls, think about renting a van. A van will, at
minimum, leave everyone enough room to create their own personal
space. If your 8-year-old doesn't share his toys, chances are
he isn't going to want to share elbow room either. If you decide
to rent, make your reservation well in advance, especially
during peak travel times. See our article on car rental tips
for more information.
Start packing, at least mentally, a few days before you leave.
Let the kids help pack their own bags if they are old enough,
and discuss the trip with them -- kids are much better behaved
when they know what to expect. Packed bags mean less confusion,
less standing around and less frustration on departure day.
This translates into a pleasant start to your road trip.
A great way to avoid the inevitable question (are we there
yet?) is to give kids a map, or, even more fun, help them create
their own. You can trace the route together and point out interesting
landmarks so that they will have a sense of where they are
going.
 What
to Bring
Safety first -- if you decide to rent a car, bring your own
car seats. Chances are they are of a higher quality than those
provided by rental car companies and more comfortable for the
kids too. Bring along a first aid kit to treat minor mishaps.
Just this once, go against your parenting books and let the
television baby-sit your kids. Portable DVD players might just
be the key to your sanity on a long trip -- you may want to
go as far as to get one for each child. No arguments about
whether to watch "Dora the Explorer" or "Spiderman" means
peace and quiet for you.
Whatever you were planning on bringing in the way of snacks
-- double it. And toss the rules about junk food on the roadside
-- this is one time to let her have another cookie or him another
juice box. One day of poor eating cannot destroy a life of
healthy habits. Pack their favorite healthy snacks, and keep
the junky ones for when you get desperate.
Some other items to consider -- books on CD, their favorite
music CD's, blankets, pillows and favorite small toys. Coloring
books and crayons will also keep the young ones occupied --
surprise them with a new one when the car gets moving. Keep
the car clean by taking along a trash bag to collect the remains
of snack time and moist wipes to clean up minor spills. An
easily accessible (not packed deep in the trunk) change of
clothes is a wise idea in case of spills or accidents.
Avoiding
and Treating Motion Sickness
Over-the-counter drugs are available for treating motion sickness;
many must be taken before the trip starts. Consult your doctor
before giving your kids any new medications. If your child
complains of dizziness or nausea, chances are it is just motion
sickness and can be cured temporarily by getting out of the
car for fresh air. If you can't stop the car, open the car
window and encourage the child to look outside the car rather
than focusing on a point inside the vehicle. Avoid hard-to-digest
foods and keep dry crackers on hand to munch on if nausea sets
in.
Keep the
Peace
Take advantage of sights along the way, even if it's just at
a neighborhood park or a McDonald's with a playground. Although
it might add time to the trip, stopping often will keep the
journey interesting for young travelers. Sometimes a quick
stop to burn off energy is all they need to get back in the
car happily.
Plan your road trip with your child's sleeping schedule in
mind. Many parents choose to leave late in the evening and
let the children sleep while they divide the driving. Other
parents will try their best to adhere to nap times in the car
-- after all, few things are more unpleasant than a child who's
missed his or her nap.
Don't expect your children to share nicely. Make sure you've
packed ample toys, games, books and snacks for each child so
the fighting is kept to a minimum. If there is room, change
up the scenery in the car by letting an old-enough child ride
in the passenger seat while an adult rides in the back seat
with a younger child. Lastly, if you are traveling with a spouse,
consider designating roles -- driver and entertainer. The driver
will concentrate on the road while the other keeps the peace
-- keeping your whole family happy and, most importantly, safe.
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